Early Childhood Services

Background

Early Childhood Services (ECS) is a voluntary program, the objective of which is to integrate educational, health, social, and recreational services for pre-school aged children. The program is to strengthen the sense of dignity and self worth of the child and provide parents opportunities to actively participate in their children’s programming.

The Division believes in the importance of a quality kindergarten program to provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences.

Procedures

The Division shall provide an Early Childhood Services Program designed to enhance student abilities and skills, and address children’s developmental needs.

The program will be consistent with the Philosophy, Goals and Program Dimensions prescribed by Alberta Education and the Division.

Eligibility for entrance to ECS programs will be as outlined in Administrative Procedure 300 and 301.

Enrollment in ECS is voluntary.

Current provincial regulations with respect to safety standards, programs, policies, teachers, records, finance, and insurance will be strictly maintained.

Each severely disabled child for whom a Program Unit Fund has been accessed will be served through an individualized program plan.

Residency rules for public and separate school divisions do not apply for kindergarten children.

The Superintendent, annually, and no later than March 1, shall recommend to the Board a maximum kindergarten fee for enhanced programming beyond that allowed for in the Funding Manual for School Authorities.

References:

Sections 8, 18, 20, 30, 60, 61, 113 School Act

Early Childhood Regulation 31/2002 (with amendments up to and including Alberta Regulation 136/2016)